Anyone know anything about... (A bit of a sensitive topic)

[Lai]

In my interior design class, our teacher got onto one of her completely non-school-related discussions. She told us a story about two abused kids... and it was so sad that I've always wanted to read up more about it, or just see if it was really true. The reason I'm interested is because it happened in the Austin, Texas area (I think she said it did?) and I had never even heard about it before.

Apparently two kids (teens?) from Mexico had agreed to come to the USA with a man; the deal was that the kids would work and their earnings would feed their starving family. The man drove off with the two, and brought them to his house. Over a period of months (years?) he beat, raped (girl AND boy), and brutally punished these children. They worked all right, but not for money! At one point the girl got the courage to escape, but she didn't know hardly any English, was naked, and afraid that he would find her out and punish her for escaping. She went back. Shortly after, the man was punishing them for something and, during winter, soaked them with cold water and made them spend the night on the roof, wet and naked. The girl (or was it the boy?) died. I believe that someone saw them and the living child was rescued.

Has anyone else ever heard anything about this? I can't find any news articles, and don't know whether or not the teacher was making up stories or relating a true event...

[soilsigh aingeal]

I don't think I've ever heard of that... Although I am from Maryland.

[Romani Vixen]

check on snopes.com it's *the* site for urban legend. Also see if she remember's the town and check the local paper...

[Calyx]

While I don't know if this particular story is true, unfortunately this is a dirty little secret that's starting to come out of the closet. Many immigrants are tricked this way, and not just those from Mexico. Often, illegal immigrants are promised to be reunited with their family already in an area (and not always the US either), or a guaranteed job, etc.

What happens is they are taken to a family or a place where they become slaves. Many are beaten or sexually abused, and find it difficult to escape because they have no money, no family and no security net. They can stay years in this awful situation before they either die, run away back to where they came from, or find someone they can trust enough to help them escape. It's very sad, and my heart goes out to them. While I am for immigration reform, I am not for abusing another human being, ever. All they wanted was a chance at a better life, and don't we all?

[Windigo]

I know this happens to a lot of Asian immigrants here in Canada, especially in the West. It's very scary indeed.

[ArKane]

Many are beaten or sexually abused,

Or become prostitutes.

[Lai]

Thank you, everyone. I'm going to keep continuing my search.

It's so sad that those things really happen to these people... :(

[ArKane]

The world is full of sick sad arseholes and I'm sorry that it happens. Good luck on your search.